Reign and Gulls Wrap Up Preseason Schedule Tonight in Anaheim

Oct 10, 2016

Ontario, CA – The Ontario Reign, proud American Hockey League (AHL) affiliate of the Los Angeles Kings of the National Hockey League (NHL), take on the San Diego Gulls tonight at 7:00 p.m. at Honda Center in Anaheim, California. Tonight is the second and final preseason meeting between the two teams.

Preseason Showdown, Part 2:

The Reign and Gulls opened the 2016 preseason last Thursday at Citizens Business Bank Arena with the Gulls skating away with a 4-3 shootout victory. Cory Ward, Lucas Lessio and Miles Koules scored for the Reign and goaltenders Jack Flinn and Jonah Imoo made appearances in net.

Breakaway Contest:

Over 68 games in the regular season last year, the Ontario Reign appeared in the shootout once, suffering a 3-2 setback to San Diego on December 19, 2015. In three all-time preseason meetings with the San Diego, the two sides moved to the breakaway showdown twice, with the Reign sitting 0-2. Overall, the Reign are 0-1-0-2 in the preseason.

Budaj Returns:

Yesterday, the Kings announced that goaltender Peter Budaj was assigned to the Reign. Budaj, the recipient of the Aldege “Baz” Bastien Memorial Award (outstanding goaltender), Harry “Hap” Holmes Memorial Award (fewest goals per game) and a First Team AHL All-Star in 2015-16, started 60 of Ontario’s 68 games and posted a record of 42-14-4, the most wins in a season by an AHL goalie in the last 55 years. He set a career high for minutes played in a season (3,574) and became just the third AHL goaltender since 1984 to lead the league in wins, goals-against average (1.75), save percentage (.932) and shutouts (9) in the same season.

Rivalry Renewed:

Over 12 heated regular-season meetings last season, the Reign went 4-6-1-1 against the Gulls and 2-2-1-1 at Citizens Business Bank Arena. Defenseman Vincent LoVerde (one goal, six assists) tied the Reign team lead with seven points against the Gulls.

Old Friends:

In addition to the regular season, the Reign and Gulls clashed twice in the preseason last year (0-1-0-1) and the Pacific Division Finals of the Calder Cup Playoffs (Reign won best-of-seven series 4-1).

The Ontario Reign celebrate Opening Weekend on Friday, October 21 and Saturday, October 22! Friday marks the return of $2 Bud Light Fridays! Don't miss all of the exciting action as the defending Pacific Division Champions look to capture their first Calder Cup in the Inland Empire! For Reign season tickets, along with information on other ticket plans, call 909-941-PUCK (7825) and visit OntarioReign.com!